Vietnam President To Lam arrives in Gayaji; Bihar CM Samrat Choudhary extends warm welcome
Synopsis
Vietnam President To Lam's first India visit since his election is more than a diplomatic courtesy call — it lands on the 10th anniversary of the India-Vietnam Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, with stops at Bodh Gaya and Mumbai adding cultural depth to a strategically loaded itinerary.
Key Takeaways
Vietnam President To Lam arrived in Gayaji on 5 May 2025 for a three-day state visit to India.
Bihar CM Samrat Choudhary extended a formal welcome at Gayaji, describing the city as steeped in spirituality and heritage.
President To Lam will receive a ceremonial welcome at Rashtrapati Bhawan on 6 May , followed by wide-ranging talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi .
President Droupadi Murmu will also hold a bilateral meeting with the visiting leader.
The visit marks the 10th anniversary of the India-Vietnam Comprehensive Strategic Partnership , first elevated during PM Modi's 2016 visit to Vietnam.
To Lam will also visit Bodh Gaya and Mumbai during his stay, which concludes on 7 May .
Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary on Tuesday, 5 May extended a ceremonial welcome to Vietnam President To Lam upon his arrival in Gayaji (Gaya), marking the start of a significant three-day state visit to India. The visit holds special diplomatic weight as it coincides with the 10th anniversary of the elevation of India-Vietnam ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
Bihar CM's Welcome and Remarks
Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary took to social media platform X to greet the visiting dignitary, writing:
Point of View
Trade, or technology — beyond the warm optics. The Comprehensive Strategic Partnership turns ten this year, but its depth relative to India's partnerships with Japan or Australia remains limited. This visit is an opportunity to close that gap, and the Modi-To Lam talks will be the real measure of its ambition.
NationPress
12 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Vietnam President To Lam visiting India in May 2025?
President To Lam is on a three-day state visit to India from 5 to 7 May 2025, his first since being elected Vietnam's President. The visit coincides with the 10th anniversary of the India-Vietnam Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and includes high-level meetings with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Droupadi Murmu.
What is the significance of Gayaji in President To Lam's India visit?
Gayaji (Gaya) is a city of deep spiritual and cultural heritage, closely linked to Bodh Gaya — one of Buddhism's holiest sites. President To Lam's arrival there and a planned visit to Bodh Gaya underscores the civilisational and Buddhist ties that India and Vietnam share.
What meetings are scheduled during President To Lam's India visit?
President To Lam will receive a ceremonial welcome at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhawan on 6 May, followed by wide-ranging bilateral discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. President Droupadi Murmu will also hold a separate meeting with him, and other Indian leaders are expected to call on him.
What is the India-Vietnam Comprehensive Strategic Partnership?
The Comprehensive Strategic Partnership was established during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Vietnam in 2016, elevating bilateral ties across defence, trade, and cultural cooperation. This year marks its 10th anniversary, making To Lam's visit particularly significant for both nations.
When did PM Modi congratulate To Lam on his election as Vietnam's President?
Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated To Lam on 7 April 2025, expressing confidence that the time-tested friendship between the two countries would grow under To Lam's leadership and reaffirming commitment to deepening the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
